Hours of steady rain was a blessing to the parched West Texas landscape, however it did prove to be quite a hindrance Friday night for the Hale Center Owls who slipped and dropped a victory to the Sudan Hornets by a final score of 21-12.

In the majority of the first half, both teams struggled to capitalize on opportunities as both offenses found it difficult to find significant yards in the mud. It wouldnt be until late in the second quarter when Sudan quarterback Stephen Schovasja would scramble down the right sideline for a 15-yard touchdown with 35 seconds left in the half. A two-point conversion run by Barry Johnson put the Hornets up 8-0. Johnson found his stride in the second half as he used short gains up the middle of the field to rack up two touchdowns and a total of 163 rushing yards in the entire game.

However, Hale Center gained its footing in the second half as the Owls battled into scoring position after a 20-yard punt return by Dalton Needham. Hale Centers running back Max Lucero then found an opening, making his way down to the 18-yard line. Ten yards later, Lucero finished the job with an 8-yard touchdown run. Lucero contributed to Hale Centers 214 total rushing yards. A two-point conversion would fail, keeping Hale Center down 8-6.

Johnson quickly answered for Sudan as a march down the field ended in a 3-yard touchdown run by the running back. A failed two-point conversion lit up the scoreboard at 14-6.

In the fourth quarter, Johnson scored again after a 25-yard touchdown run, to put Sudan up 21-6.

With just more than two minutes left in the game, a second fumble recovery by Needham set the Owls up deep in Hornet territory.

With a run up the center of the field, Lucero picked up the second touchdown for Hale Center, making the score 21-12 after a field two-point conversion.

But time would run out for the Owls, which posted their second loss of the season. Hale Center will take on Farwell next Friday as they head to the home of the Steers.

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Rains dampen Hale Centers hunt for win

Photo by: The News-Gazette

Champaign will take yard waste collection in-house for a trial period.

CHAMPAIGN City officials hope bringing yard waste pickup in-house will help them to provide better customer service to residents who use the program.

And if their cost estimates are right, they could save a bit of money by picking up residents' yard waste themselves, too. The service until now has been contracted out to private haulers.

City council members this week signed off on the one-year trial that will require the city to hire two temporary employees and rent a garbage truck. Beginning in October, they'll start making their rounds to pick up residents' leaves, branches and other fall yard waste.

It's a service that a lot of Champaign residents use, city officials said as they were considering the changes this summer. It started with a leaf collection and Christmas tree pickup in 1986 and evolved over time into today's program, for which the city has paid haulers to bring yard waste from residents' curbs to the landscape recycling center in Urbana.

"It is a program that they're very attuned to, and I think at this point have become very dependent on it," said public works operations manager Ernesto Salinas.

Except for one year when Illini Recycling won the bid, the contract has gone to what is now Republic Services for the past 13 years, according to city documents. Last year, the deal cost the city $166,900 for 14 weeks' worth of work in the spring and fall.

There have been service issues, though. City officials say complaints can get caught in an infinite loop between the contractor and the public works department and are not efficiently addressed. And the contract itself does not provide for much flexibility when bags are missed or the weather does not cooperate.

"It's always been difficult to predict the weather in the late fall and when the leaves will fall and when people will have a clear day to rake their yards," council member Tom Bruno said on Tuesday. "And it's caused disruption, and we've gotten less than great service from the private contractors to whom we have let out bids in the past."

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Champaign tries taking yard-waste collection in-house

(PRWEB) September 02, 2014

Intensive code schools are gaining notoriety among people interested launching programming careers as well as the tech companies who are hungry to hire talent. The Iron Yard, a nationally-renowned code school, is opening the first coding bootcamp in Orlando. On September 22nd, they will welcome their first round of students, many of whom have already applied and been accepted (though there are still spots available).

What type of student fits the mold at an immersive programming school? The Iron Yard aims to change the landscape of education in technology, beginning by opening their courses to candidates from all walks of life. From mid-career IT professionals to creative-types and stay-at-home parents, the common vein that runs true at The Iron Yard is a passion for learning and a propensity for problem solving.

With no coding experience required, how far could a three-month course take students? Far enough to launch a career, get a job, or start a company. Students spend the final two weeks of their project-based curriculum building a robust application for over 80 hours each week, tackling everything from concept to deployment. That capstone project serves as proof that they are ready to work as a professional and solve programming problems for companies and clients.

"Computer coding is the new language of commerce and life," says Rafael Gerena, a former Wall Street Journal economics reporter who enrolled at The Iron Yard's Orlando campus. "People who learn to speak this language will have the literacy to pursue next-generation opportunities. These skills will help Iron Yard students become vibrant players in Orlando's digital economy."

Students arent the only Orlando area residents excited about the launch of the school. The Iron Yard has already begun to build an advisory board of companies and officials who are excited about hiring graduates and bolstering an already-robust tech economy by creating (and attracting) high-paying development jobs into the area. Local leaders like Gregg Pollack, Founder of Code School and Envy School, Ted Murphy CEO of Izea, Todd Sampson CEO of Cloudspace, and several more have all joined the board. One of the first board members, Orrett Davis, Executive Director of Orlando Tech Association, sees the impact The Iron Yard will bring to Central Florida,

The Iron Yard is going to have a profound impact on the Orlando tech community. Theres a tremendous demand for technical talent here. The most frequent ask that my organization gets from our members is for connections to high quality developers. The Iron Yard is going to grow local talent and help our local economy retain the companies that have chosen to call Central Florida home.

The Iron Yards campus will be inside the Church Street Exchange Building, the heart of Downtown Orlandos fast-growing tech hub. Doors will open in early September. Video and interview opportunities are available, call to schedule.

Classes start on September 22nd and applications are still open for the Front End Engineering course.

Interested in learning to code or hiring development talent? Check out theironyard.com to find out more.

Read more here:
The Iron Yard's Coding Bootcamp Launches in Orlando's Tech Hub

St. Petersburg, FL (PRWEB) September 02, 2014

Intensive code schools are gaining notoriety among people interested in launching programming careers as well as the tech companies who are hungry to hire talent. The Iron Yard, a nationally-renowned code school, has planted roots in St. Petersburg. On September 22nd, they will welcome their first round of students, many of whom have already applied and been accepted (though there are still spots available).

What type of student fits the mold at an immersive programming school? The Iron Yard aims to change the landscape of education in technology, beginning by opening their courses to candidates from all walks of life. From mid-career IT professionals to creative-types and stay-at-home parents, the common vein that runs true at The Iron Yard is a passion for learning and a propensity for problem solving. With no coding experience required, how far could a three-month course take students? Far enough to launch a career, get a job, or start a company. Students spend the final two weeks of their project-based curriculum building a robust application for over 80 hours each week, tackling everything from concept to deployment. That capstone project serves as proof that they are ready to work as a professional and solve programming problems for companies and clients.

Alyssa, who is enrolled in one of The Iron Yards upcoming courses, has a background in sales and marketing. Shes been looking for a career change and classes on nights and weekends werent cutting it. Of The Iron Yard, she says:

I chose The Iron Yard because it is offering something that no other school has yet: education on up-to-date material that meets current job market demands, an expedited course time, and an environment of people with the desire to learn. Since the course is taught by someone who is active in the field theres no worries about learning something thats already obsolete, which gives a greater chance of getting ahead of the curve.

Students arent the only Tampa Bay residents excited about the launch of the school. The Iron Yard has already begun to build an advisory board of companies and officials who are excited about hiring graduates and bolstering an already-robust tech economy by creating (and attracting) high-paying development jobs into the area. Local leaders like Gavin Stark of Real Digital Media, Sean Kennedy of Manager of The Greenhouse Economic Development Coordinator at St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, Dan Denny, creator of the Front End Design Conference and several more have all joined the board. One of the first board members, Sylvia Martinez of Collaborative Technologies, sees the impact The Iron Yard will bring to the Bay area:

This determination and passion to make Tampa Bay an incredible place to work, live, and play is apparent just about everywhere I go. People are collaborating more than ever before because it's common knowledge that we all share the same goal. That collaboration and willingness to help one anotheralong with important economy-building efforts like The Iron Yardwill no doubt take Tampa Bay to that next level of success"

The Iron Yards offices will be in downtown St. Petersburg, where theyve partnered with a local developer to turn what once was a hotel into an ecosystem of tech companies, code education and coworking space. Doors will open in early September.

Classes start on September 22nd and applications are still open for both the Front End Engineering and Ruby on Rails Engineering courses.

Interested in learning to code or hiring development talent? Check out theironyard.com to find out more.

The rest is here:
The Iron Yard Launches Tampa Bay Code School

The opening week of the 2014 football season produced a few surprising results, but none were quite as attention-grabbing as Boca Raton's 25-21 win against Seminole Ridge, a team expected to contend for its sixth consecutive trip to the playoffs.

Boca Raton, which has not qualified for the playoffs since 2009, has been a below-.500 team each of the past three seasons. Less than two weeks into spring practices in May, head coach Jeff Dellenbach surprisingly handed in his resignation, leaving the program after only one year at the helm.

Eric Davis, a 1979 Boca Raton graduate who has been an assistant coach for 30 years at a handful of Palm Beach County schools, including his alma mater, was handed the reins in mid-May, becoming the Bobcats' fifth head coach in seven years. He quickly scrambled to assemble his own coaching staff and make systematic changes.

Graduation and transfers left the Bobcats with only one returning starter when August practices began, and another mediocre season appeared on the horizon. That perception changed, at least temporarily, Friday night when junior quarterback Philip Santiago connected with senior wide receiver Ben Smith on a game-winning 65-yard touchdown pass with 2:20 remaining, avenging a 30-7 loss to Seminole Ridge last year.

"It was a big win," Davis said. "We're trying to teach them how to win and how to finish."

Asked to give his team an overall grade on their performance Friday night, Davis handed out a 'B' and commended the Bobcats for the character they showed in not giving up. Next up for Boca Raton is neighboring rival Atlantic, which will be another challenging test for the young Bobcats, who suddenly are feeling better about this season than they did back in mid-May.

Champs have work cut out

Dwyer had a magical run in 2013, winning the Class 7A state title to cap a 15-0 season. The Panthers might have a tough time defending their district title this year, however.

Glades Central's defense smothered quarterback Daniel Parr and the Panthers' offense in a 12-7 win Friday night a week after Plantation-American Heritage rolled over Dwyer in a preseason Kickoff Classic matchup that was televised live on ESPN.

Glades Central sacked Parr, the 2013 7A state player of the year, four times and limited Dwyer's offense to 138 yards.

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Boca win, Dwyer loss shake up landscape early

Langham Creek and Klein Oak are incapable of playing a normal football game.

For the third consecutive meeting, the two teams had everyone on edge.

Klein Oak bested Langham Creek in a wild 50-44 win Saturday at Klein Memorial Stadium.

It looked like a Klein Oak rout at first. The Panthers were ahead 43-20 with four minutes left in the third quarter. But a furious Langham Creek comeback that included 24 unanswered points completely changed the landscape of this game.

"I told those guys at halftime," Langham Creek head coach Todd Thompson said."'We have a choice. We can keep letting the mistakes happen and keep going in the direction we're going in or we can turn this around. We're going to find out a lot about our team in the second half.'"

The Lobos certainly responded in the second half. But an 85-yard kickoff return from Klein Oak's Derrick Durden set up his 5-yard touchdown run with23 seconds left, allowing the Panthers to take the win back.

All Klein Oak early

It was all Klein Oak for nearly three quarters Saturday.

The way Langham Creek started the game helped. The first play of the game was an interception for Klein Oak's Jacob Harper. Quarterback Jose Blankenship turned that into a 3-yard touchdown down run.

The Panthers' second score was helped by another Langham Creek mishap. An illegal substitution penalty sustained a Klein Oak drive on 4th and 2. The Panthers drove down the field and capitalized with JT Smith's 1-yard touchdown run.

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FOOTBALL: Langham Creek's comeback bid falls short against Klein Oak

As late summer becomes early fall, it is a great time to get outside and do some yard work.

Is late summer/early fall a good time to plant a tree?

Mid-August through September is an excellent time to plant pine, spruce and other evergreens. (Evergreens planted in late October or November may not have adequate time to become established before the onset of winter and could be subject to desiccation, injury and death.) Deciduous trees and shrubs can be planted from August through early November.

Water newly planted trees every day for three or four days and then gradually reduce the frequency of watering. When watering, slowly apply water to the rootball and the surrounding soil. A thorough watering every seven to 10 days (in dry weather) should be sufficient three to four weeks after planting. Continue watering until the ground freezes.

Can perennials be successfully planted in late summer/early fall?

Late summer/early fall is an excellent time to plant many perennials. It also is a good time to move or divide perennials, such as peony, daylily, garden phlox and Oriental poppy. Perennials planted in late summer or early fall should be mulched with several inches of straw, pine needles or other materials in late fall. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil that may heave plants out of the ground. Drying of exposed plant crowns and roots can cause severe damage or death.

When is the best time to sow grass seed?

Mid-August to mid-September is the best time to seed new lawns and overseed existing lawns in Iowa. Late-summer seeding has several advantages over spring seeding. The seeds of cool-season grasses germinate quickly in the warm soil of late summer. The warm days and cool nights of early fall promote rapid turfgrass growth. The growing grass also has less competition from weeds as few weed seeds germinate in fall.

When should I plant tulips and daffodils?

October is the ideal time to plant tulips, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs. Plant bulbs in groups or clusters to achieve maximum visual impact. Bulbs planted individually or in single rows are generally not as effective. Spring-flowering bulbs can be planted as late as December if the ground is not frozen.

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Improve landscape in late summer, early fall

Our 16 Curb Appeal winner is eager to find out what the experts from Linton's Enchanted Gardens can do with his front yard.

Staff Sergeant Jordan Willsey is a teacher at Goshen High School and also trains soldiers at Grissom Air Reserve Base.

The look of his Mishawaka home is about to be transformed with new plants, shrubs, and a new American flag.

He's not the only one who will enjoy the new landscaping, though.

Jordan has some important women in his life. Mom Terry Wiley really wanted him to win the 16 Curb Appeal contest.

"I come over every week and mow his yard for him," she told us.

But there's also his girlfriend Chelsea Cochran and his dog Eleanor.

"I am not afraid to work in the yard. I'm not very experienced with it, but it's something I can learn," Chelsea explains.

Chelsea and Jordan are about to learn a lot from Mark Linton and his team.

"This is going to be a fun process. We would like to help them learn and teach them as we go about the process," Mark explains.

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16 Curb Appeal: Mark Linton visits Staff Sgt. Jordan Willsey's home

English ivy was once seen as the perfect plant for certain landscape situations but is now listed as an invasive plant species in South Carolina. It is seen as a severe threat. Clemson Extension recently released a bulletin encouraging homeowners to get a grip on this aggressive plant which can overrun anything in its path.

It is always a shame when gardeners realize that a plant that seems to be the answer to a problem spot or that is so attractive they cant resist planting it, then becomes a menace. It brings to mind the term too good to be true. A plant that is fast growing, thrives in adverse situations or is prolific with flowers and fruit can sometimes become an enemy.

English ivy fell out of favor some years ago, but there is now a more genuine effort to eradicate it. Clemson extension suggests the following step for making your landscape ivy-free.

Ivy that has grown up trees can be dealt with any time of year. Use a flat-head screwdriver or the blade of your pruners to pry the vines off of the truck. A saw may be needed for large vines, but be careful not to cut into the tree trunk.

Cut the vines and strip them down the tree trunk. Wear gloves and long sleeves during this process as the sap from the vines may irritate your skin.

Clemson recommends several weed-killers for eliminating beds of solid ivy or for spraying around the base of trees.

Glyphosate is a general, non-selective, systemic herbicide that has the least soil activity and is less harmful to the roots of nearby trees and shrubs than other herbicides, Clemson Extension Service notes.

You also want to be aware of other vines that may be growing in with the English ivy. Poison ivy, Virginia creeper and smilax or greenbrier may be mixed in with the ivy and require more caution or a different method for removal.

A moist soil will make it easier to remove ivy from ground areas. Try tackling it after a rain or when it has been wet by a sprinkler of irrigation system.

Eliminating ivy from annual or perennial flower beds can be a more difficult chore. This is more easily tackled when favorable plants have died down for the winter or just before they emerge in spring.

Read more:
Ivy-free: Keeping invasive plant out of the landscape

By AMY TAXIN Associated Press

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Rick Blankenship was tired of an insatiable lawn he couldn't keep green, no matter how he watered it, so he decided to tear it out.

Three years later, he brims with pride at his new front yard in Long Beach, California, carpeted with natural sage- and emerald green-colored ground covers and shaded by flowering magnolia and peppermint willow trees.

"It just sounded like a great way to save money and at the same time, kind of beautify my landscape," said the 51-year-old medical sales director.

As California faces an historic drought, more residents are following in Blankenship's footsteps and tearing out thirsty lawns to cut down on water use. Water agencies across the state have been encouraging the change by offering thousands of dollars in rebates to help homeowners make the switch to a drought-friendly landscape with better odds of surviving dry spells common to the local climate.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which covers 19 million people, received requests to remove 2.5 million square feet in residential lawns in July, up from 99,000 in January, said Bill McDonnell, the consortium's water efficiency manager.

The Municipal Water District of Orange County is taking in 20 to 30 applications a day, up from just five a week before Gov. Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency earlier this year. "We are just buried right now," said Joe Berg, the agency's water efficiency programs manager.

The trend isn't just catching on in Southern California. The Santa Clara Valley Water District, which serves Silicon Valley, received more than 1,700 requests for applications for turf removal rebates during the first six months of the year, a five-fold increase from the same period in 2013, said Marty Grimes, a district spokesman.

Water officials hope the shift is more than a fad and marks the beginning of a transformation in the way residents view neighborhood landscapes.

Most lawns in Southern California don't bear greenery other than grass but water agency officials say the interest in turf removal programs - fueled in part by an increase in rebate rates - is encouraging.

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Californians tear out lawns to cope with drought - Quincy Herald-Whig | Illinois & Missouri News, Sports